Program for promoting migration from older technology to newer technology

ABSTRACT

A program by which retailers offer customers an exchange of older technology for newer technology. The older technology and newer technology have a common characteristic. In certain cases, the common characteristic is the same for each of the older and newer technologies, wherein the characteristic is copyrighted material. The customer&#39;s possession of the older technology facilitates the retailer to give the customer the newer technology for a reduced cost.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/854,595, filed Apr. 1, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/715,075, filed Mar. 1, 2010, and now U.S. Pat.No. 8,412,580, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/871,945, filed Jun. 17, 2004 and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,707,067, whichincorporated by reference and claimed priority to the entire contents ofU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/479,383, filed June 18, 2003,the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for cost effectively updating an oldertechnology with a newer technology. More particularly, the inventionrelates to replacing the older technology with the newer technology, butat a lower price than the retail value of the newer technology.

BACKGROUND

In the worldwide commercial marketplace, change is the only constant.Quite often, the change involves advances in technology, for example, amovement from older to newer technology. Whether such newer technologyis deemed as being more efficient than the older technology for example,or being safer for the environment, the movement in technology is oftenspurred by such motivating factors. However, it is often common to findthe general public initially reluctant to accept and/or adapt to thenewer technology. Such reluctance can often stem from fears of changeand cost. The fear of change generally surfaces because people feelcomfortable with the older technology. However, quite often, the oldertechnology becomes outdated, and no longer supported by the marketplace.Thus, an environment is created in which the older technology needs tobe replaced with the newer technology. However, such newer technologyalso comes at a cost which people are hesitant, at least initially, toaccept.

The program of the invention is provided to address advances intechnology and help provide a vehicle for people that have the oldertechnology to benefit when replacing the older technology with newertechnology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention provide a method of replacing anolder technology with a newer technology. The method comprises providingan exchange program by which a retailer provides the newer technology ata reduced cost to a customer who owns the older technology. The methodalso includes requiring that the newer and the older technology eachhave a portion that is the same.

Additionally, certain embodiments of the invention provide a method ofreplacing an older technology with a newer technology. The methodcomprises offering a customer a service by which a retailer collects theolder technology from the customer. The method also includes providingan exchange program by which the retailer provides the newer technologyat a reduced cost to the customer in exchange for the older technology.

Also, certain embodiments of the invention provide a method of replacingan older technology with a newer technology. The method comprisesproviding an exchange program by which a retailer provides the newertechnology at a reduced cost to a customer who owns the oldertechnology. The method also includes requiring that the newer technologyand the older technology each have a portion that is the same, wherebythe older technology and the newer technology each having the portionthat is the same enables the retailer to provide the newer technology atthe reduced cost to the customer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating steps of an exemplary migrationprogram in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating sub-steps 2A-2G of online step 2illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description is to be read with reference to thefigure. The figure depicts selected embodiments, but is not intended tolimit the scope of the invention. It will be understood that many of thespecific steps of the method incorporating the inventive systemillustrated in the figure could be changed or modified by one ofordinary skill in the art without departing significantly from thespirit of the invention.

In enabling the invention herein, specific new and old technologies mustbe detailed to allow for full reader appreciation. Thus, in reference tohome viewing entertainment, the new technology will involve DigitalVideo Discs (DVDs) and the old technology will involve Video Home System(VHS) cassettes or tapes. However, it is contemplated that thisinvention can be adapted to a variety of other new technologies slowlycoming into prominence over time, outdating the old or priortechnologies. By describing one specific new and old technology, itshould be appreciated that it is not done so with the intent to limitthe invention as such.

Since its debut in the marketplace, circa 1995, the Digital Video Disc(DVD) has proven itself to be a superlative format for home theater. Inless than a decade, DVD has edged-out the VHS videocassette as thestandard for home theater. Until recently (late 2002/early 2003), VHSand DVD movies were sold side-by-side on retailers' shelves acrossAmerica—but no more. Most retailers have either phased-out VHS entirely,or they are in the process of doing so. For those consumers who endeavorto purchase movies for private viewing in their own homes, the choicesseem to have narrowed themselves to DVD or nothing.

In turn, a problem exists for the consumers who have built a library ofVHS movies over the years, as transitioning from the VHS to the DVDformat poses considerable costs. Equipment is the least of these costs,as DVD players of average quality can be purchased for less than $100.Rather, the bulk of the expense in transitioning from VHS to DVD lies inreplicating one's existing library of VHS movies on DVD. The prospect ofhaving to purchase the same movies again is, to say the least,unpalatable for many consumers.

Instead of paying full retail price for DVD versions of the same VHSmovies they already own, some consumers have resorted to piracy (makingillegal copies). When the DVD format was introduced, the discsthemselves were hailed as being virtually impossible to copy, however,this is no longer the case. In addition, recordable DVD drives haveincreasingly been included as accessories in new home computers. As thecost of recordable DVD drives continues to drop, they become morecommonplace. Alternatively, for a modest sum, a recordable DVD drive kitmay be purchased for retrofit into an existing home computer, replacingthe system's CD ROM drive. This combination of relatively inexpensivehardware for making DVD copies, along with the current ability to copyDVDs, presents a realistic option for the consumer who feels that it istoo expensive to buy legitimately manufactured DVD versions of themovies that he or she already owns on VHS. As the prices for DVDrecorders continue to fall, and as the copying technique becomes moreefficient, more user-friendly and more prevalent across the Internet,this piracy option, even though illegal, is likely to tempt anincreasing number of consumers in the future.

The present invention provides a solution in which both the consumersand the makers of media for home theater would be advantaged. Obviously,when the consumer chooses to engage in piracy, the makers of the mediaare deprived of revenue, to which they would have otherwise beenentitled, had a retail sale of the DVD movie occurred. While a consumermay be able to save money by creating a pirated copy of a DVD filminstead of buying the DVD legitimately, by doing so, he or she isbreaking the law and can be prosecuted for copyright infringement ifcaught. The solution to the foregoing problem is an Old-to-NewTechnology Migration Program, or as related herein, a VHS to DVDMigration Program.

This solution is premised on the fact that while the consumer owns theVHS tape itself, he or she does not actually own the contents of it—theconsumer merely has a license to view the copyrighted material stored onthe tape. So, the price paid by the consumer at the time of originalretail purchase can be separated into at least two key components: (1) alicense fee, to view the copyrighted material; and (2) some componentfor the cost of the cassette itself, printing costs for the jacket, aswell as certain intangibles (such as royalties). A precise and detailedallocation is not essential for purposes of this discussion. It is mostimportant to note that the copyrighted material on the tape islicensed—not sold—to the consumer, and that some fractional share of thetotal purchase price represents good and valuable consideration, paid bythe consumer, in exchange for receiving such license rights to thecopyrighted material. With this in mind, it becomes abundantly clear whya consumer would feel it unnecessary to purchase an additional licenseto the same copyrighted material, when all (s)he really wants to do ismigrate from one format to another. This is the principle on which theVHS to DVD Migration Program rests.

The VHS to DVD Migration Program would call for the consumer tosurrender to the media producer his/her VHS copy of a particular film,and upon such surrender, the consumer receives a DVD copy of the sametitle, in exchange for a modest migration fee. The migration fee wouldlikely be an offset against the media producer's material costs (cost ofthe disc, jacket, etc . . . ), and may also be reflective of otherintangibles, such as the convenience and value afforded to the consumerby the program. Note that this process does not entail any terminationof the license originally granted with the VHS tape—rather, this processdepends upon the license remaining in full force and effect throughoutthe migration process. As a result, the aforementioned migration feewould necessarily be far less than the full retail price of the DVD,since no additional consideration is paid for licensing the copyrightedcontent; the consumer retains the same license originally issued at thetime the VHS tape was first purchased, and (s)he merely migrates fromone video format to another, while the original license remains inplace.

In certain instances, the DVD version of a given title might containadditional copyrighted material (bonus footage, deleted scenes,director's commentary, outtakes, alternative endings, etc . . . ) thatwas not included on the VHS version of the same title. To the extentthat a DVD contains such additional copyrighted material, the migrationfee would be deemed to include a supplemental license fee for theadditional content. Such additional content would be licensed to theconsumer on the same terms and with the same restrictions as the othercopyrighted material on the DVD or VHS cassette.

In certain embodiments of the invention, the Migration Program would beused as a tool for the creators/licensors of home videos. However, aspreviously mentioned, the core concept of retaining one's originallicense to copyrighted material and exchanging one storage media typefor another is not limited to the movie industry. The core concept couldbe easily adapted and applied to a wide variety of media types, such asaudio cassettes to compact discs, audio cassettes to digital discs,floppy disks to CD ROMs, printed books to books on tape, and the like.Preferably, the core concept would be applied to any situation wherecopyrighted material is stored on multiple media types.

In other certain embodiments of the invention, the Migration Programwould be incorporated into any situation which involves the introductionof newer technology that outdates older technology, wherein the customerhas a license to some proprietary aspect of the older technology andwould be willing to turn in the older technology for a reduced cost onthe newer technology with the same proprietary aspect. In these otherembodiments, one would not be limited only to applications in whichthere is copyrighted material being migrated. Examples of suchproprietary aspects could involve patent rights, trade secrets, etc.

In further certain embodiments of the invention, the Migration Programwould be incorporated into any situation which involves the introductionof newer technology that outdates older technology, wherein the customerwould be willing to turn in the older technology for a rebate on thenewer technology. In these other embodiments, one would again not belimited only to applications in which there is copyrighted materialbeing migrated. Examples could involve household appliances, telephonicdevices, computers, etc. Motivating factors in these embodiments for theconsumer to turn in their older technology would involve reduced costfor the newer technology, ridding oneself of the older technology, andpotentially reducing costs on upkeep or maintenance in regard to theolder technology. Motivating factors in these embodiments for theretailer to provide a rebate on the newer technology would involvehigher sales volume, increased product recognition, and potentiallyreceiving rebates from the government in the from of tax breaks forsaving energy or the environment by taking in and safely disposing ofthe older technology.

Ultimately, it would be up to the user of the core concept toincorporate the idea into his/her business, whatever way is mostfeasible. The method of implementation and use of the core concept wouldobviously vary, depending upon the user's business and the type oftechnology involved. Nonetheless, the inventors have included—forexemplary purposes only—two possible embodying methods of using the coreconcept in business. Once again, the movie industry will be depicted asthe sample business or industry. A flowchart illustrating the steps ofthe two methods of the sample industry is illustrated in FIG. 1.

For purposes of this example, the inventors will delineate two methodsof implementing the core concept into a business model. One modelcontemplates an online exchange of a VHS tape for a DVD of the sametitle, through a retailer's web site, while the other contemplates anactual walk-up exchange, performed at the retailer's place of business.The parties depicted in the example are the Customer, the Retailer andthe Filmmaker. It should be appreciated that the terms Customer,Retailer, and Filmmaker could each be replaced by a number of relativelysimilar terms that those skilled in the art would also recognize. Forexample, one could use consumer, client, patron, etc. for Customer; onecould use merchant, vendor, dealer, etc. for Retailer; and one could usefilm studio, production company, etc. for Filmmaker. As such, the termsCustomer, Retailer, and Filmmaker are used herein for conventionalpurposes and not with the intention of limiting the invention as such.In addition, the term Retailer used in this context can be interpretedas any party involved in the chain of distribution of the technologyincluding, but not limited to, the Filmmaker and/or authorized agents(e.g., parties operating distribution houses, video rental stores,etc.). Further, it should be appreciated that the parties may changegiven other technologies. For instance, a distributor could be used incombination or as an alternative to the retailer. Finally, although thefollowing examples discuss a franchise agreement (where the Retailerbuys the rights to facilitate the exchanges on the Filmmaker's behalf) aseparate franchise agreement is not necessarily required in all caseswhere the core concept is used.

Both methods have the same first two introductory steps. First, in step100, the Customer decides to exchange a VHS tape for a DVD of the sametitle. Next, in step 102, the Customer elects to facilitate the exchangeeither in person by way of the RETAIL model, or over an interneconnection by way of the ONLINE model. Customers who prefer not to go tothe retail store, or who live a considerable distance from aparticipating retailer, would likely elect the ONLINE model as set forthbelow.

In choosing the ONLINE model in step 102, the Customer will access thewebsite of a participating Retailer in step 104 to initiate the VHS toDVD Migration Program. Retailers may promote the VHS to DVD MigrationProgram via whatever advertising media the Retailer chooses, subject tothe guidelines established in the separate franchise agreement betweenthe Retailer and Filmmaker/distributor.

In step 106, the customer will be prompted to input data to facilitatethe transaction. Step 106 can comprise a number of sub-steps,illustrated in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2, the customer visits adedicated page on the retailer's website at step 202. The dedicated pageon the participating Retailer's website will prompt the Customer tochoose from an alphabetical pull-down menu (or similar mechanism) toidentify the VHS title which Customer wishes to migrate to DVD. To theextent possible, the website may prompt the Customer to examine the VHStape and/or jacket for unique identifiers such as alpha-numeric codes,etc., and subsequently enter such information at step 204 (toauthenticate the VHS tape at step 206).

The web page would further prompt the Customer to enter his/her mailingaddress, credit card number, or any other relevant information requiredto complete the transaction at step 208. The Retailer will likely usethe same secure socket processing methods it may already have in placefor processing online credit card orders via the Retailer's website.

In step 210, upon submission of this information, the system wouldgenerate and display a return authorization code, and prompt theCustomer to mail the VHS tape(s) to a specified address, where thetape(s) is/are to be received by the participating Retailer.

Once the information is received, but before the return authorizationnumber is displayed, the Retailer might program a pop-up window to offerthe customer a special discount on other in-store merchandise, such as aDVD player (participating manufacturers). The discount would be validonly if the Customer elected to place the order for the merchandise atthe same time as the exchange. By way of example: “Do you have a DVDPlayer? Include one with this order, and take 10% off the manufacturer'sretail price. Click here for a list of qualifying players . . . ” Inaddition, Customer may also receive discounts on other related itemssuch as clothing apparel, toys, watches, etc.

In step 108, the Customer would surrender the VHS tape, typically bymailing the subject VHS tape to the address indicated by the web page,and conspicuously marking the package with the return authorization codegenerated by the web page (or the web page may prompt the customer toprint the final screen, and include the printout with the VHS tape).

In step 110, the participating Retailer will receive the Customerpackage, generally at the address it designates on the web page. Thiswill be dependant upon the distribution model established by therespective Retailer. For example, the Retailer may choose to have theVHS tape returned to the nearest participating Retailer location or theRetailer may have a national location established for the specificprocessing of returned VHS tape(s) and subsequent delivery of theselected DVD(s).

Additionally in step 110, the tape will be processed by the Retailer'spersonnel, in accordance with the franchise agreement from theFilmmaker. This will likely include opening the end cap of the tape andcutting the magnetic tape, or some other method for disabling orpartially destroying the tape.

Retailer will generally keep in their possession, for a specified periodof time (per the franchise agreement), the surrendered VHS tapes inorder for the Filmmaker to verify the numbers and/or audit Retailer. TheFilmmaker may require an on-site audit of the Retailer's VHS collection,which may include the actual physical identification of all respectiveVHS tapes, software data, or any other form of record keepingestablished per the franchise agreement. In addition, the Filmmaker mayrequire offsite verification in which the respective Retailer may berequired to mail all surrendered VHS tapes to the Filmmaker for auditpurposes. In the event an audit reveals a deficiency in the number oftapes in the Retailer's possession versus the number of tapes actuallyreported to the Filmmaker, the Filmmaker may have the option toterminate the franchise agreement with the respective Retailer andrecoup the costs, if any, associated with the deficiency.

Also the Retailer's personnel will catalog the receipt of the Customer'sVHS tape, in the manner prescribed by the franchise agreement with theFilmmaker.

Per the franchise agreement, the Retailer will establish an externalconnection in step 214 with the Filmmaker (i.e. web link, etc.) usingthe Filmmaker's prescribed software and data security program, in whichreceipts of VHS tapes surrendered will be collected and transmitted tothe Filmmaker's network in step 216. The data may be transmitted on adaily, weekly, or bi-weekly basis, dependant upon the volume and othervarious factors determined and established per the franchise agreementbetween Retailer and Filmmaker.

At the time Retailer establishes the connection to the Filmmaker'snetwork, an automated data dump will occur in step 216, whereby all ofthe exchanges in the Retailer's system (since the previous data dump)will be uploaded to the Filmmaker's network. Based upon the informationreceived from the Retailer's data dump, a credit will be calculated bythe Filmmaker's network in step 218, which reimburses Retailer for thediscount afforded to each Customer, via the VHS to DVD MigrationProgram. Credits will only be for the DVDs related to the VHS to DVDMigration Program and not for any other discounts offered by Retailer tocustomer (i.e. merchandise, DVD players). Should the Filmmaker elect toaudit the results of the Retailer's data dump, the credit will be helduntil the audit is complete. Upon completion of the audit (or within areasonable time after the data dump, if no audit is performed) thecredit will accrue to the Retailer. The Retailer might elect to applysuch credit amount to future orders of DVD items from the Filmmaker, orthe Retailer may elect to cash out the credit, in which case a check forthe amount of the credit (or an electronic funds transfer) will bedisbursed to the Retailer.

Finally, the Retailer's personnel will locate, package, address and shipa DVD of the same title to the Customer, at the address specified in theonline form submitted by Customer.

The franchise agreement may set out service levels, specific to thetotal time allowed for the entire process. For example, two-weekdelivery time from the date of receipt of the surrendered VHS tape tothe shipment date of the DVD to Customer. Retailer may also provide atracking number or a customer support number for verification ofshipment of the respective DVD.

The customer will receive a DVD of the same title as the VHS tapesurrendered, at the address (s)he specified in the online form in step112, which comprises the transaction completion step in the ONLINEmodel.

For Customers who prefer to complete the transaction quickly, or whoprefer not to submit personal/credit card information via the Internet,the RETAIL model will be elected in step 102. The initial step of theRETAIL model would entail the Customer going to the store location of aparticipating Retailer in step 114. Additionally, the Customer mustbring the VHS tape which he or she wishes to migrate to DVD. Retailersmay promote the VHS to DVD Migration Program via whatever advertisingmedia they choose, so long as the content is within the guidelinesestablished in the franchise agreement from the Filmmaker.

Upon entering the store location, the Customer will bring the tape tothe space designated by the Retailer for the VHS to DVD MigrationProgram (possibly the customer service/returns desk, or some otherspecifically constructed kiosk for the VHS to DVD Migration Program).Retailers may wish to have loss prevention personnel inspect merchandise(including VHS tapes for the VHS to DVD Migration Program), which arebrought onto the premises. They might attach a sticker or some other tagto the tapes, per store policy.

Upon arriving at the space designated by the Retailer for the VHS to DVDMigration Program, the Customer will surrender the VHS tape to theRetailer's authorized personnel in step 116. The Retailer's personnelwill, in turn, catalog receipt of the Customer's tape, in accordancewith the franchise agreement from the Filmmaker, and then disable orpartially destroy the tape as required by the franchise agreement. Thiswill likely include opening the end cap of the cassette and cutting themagnetic tape, or some other method for disabling or partiallydestroying the VHS tape.

Retailer will generally keep in their possession, for a specified periodof time (per the franchise agreement), the surrendered VHS tapes inorder for the Filmmaker to verify the numbers and/or audit Retailer. TheFilmmaker may require an on site audit of the Retailer's VHS collectionwhich may include the actual physical identification of all VHS tapes,software data, or any other form of record keeping established per thefranchise agreement. In addition, the Filmmaker may require offsiteverification in which the Retailer may be required to mail allsurrendered VHS tapes to the Filmmaker for audit purposes. In the eventan audit reveals a deficiency in the number of tapes in the Retailer'spossession versus the number of tapes actually reported to theFilmmaker, the Filmmaker may have the option to terminate the franchiseagreement with the respective Retailer and recoup the costs, if any,associated with the deficiency.

After the tape is cataloged and disabled, an in-store voucher (for useat the cashier) will be generated and given to the Customer at step 118.The computer system or software program that the Retailer uses tocatalog receipt of the VHS tape may also be used to generate thevoucher. The voucher might take the form of a bar-coded document or someother type of coupon that the Retailer chooses. The Retailer might alsowish to include special offers or incentives on the voucher itself (suchas a discount on the purchase of a DVD player or licensed merchandiserelating to the movie title being exchanged).

In step 130, following receipt of the voucher, the Customer will proceedto the media department of the Retailer's store, select a DVD of thesame title (s)he surrendered, and proceed to the checkout. If there areany special offers or incentives on the voucher, and the Customer wishesto avail him/herself of such offers, (s)he will retrieve the subjectmerchandise at this time, and bring it to the cashier for checkout.

Additionally in step 130, the customer will present the DVD and thevoucher to the cashier. The voucher will function similarly to a coupon,which discounts the retail price of the DVD by the appropriate amount.The DVD that is subject to the exchange will register at the full retailprice, when scanned at the checkout. The bar code or other code on thevoucher will apply the appropriate discount to the DVD or any otherspecially offered merchandise identified on the voucher, at the time thevoucher is scanned by the cashier.

At the time the Retailer establishes the connection to the Filmmaker'snetwork, an automated data dump will occur, whereby all of the exchangesin the Retailer's system (since the previous data dump) will be uploadedto the Filmmaker's network. Based upon the information received from theRetailer's data dump, a credit will be calculated by the Filmmaker'snetwork, which reimburses Retailer for the discount afforded to eachCustomer, via the VHS to DVD Migration Program. Credits will only be forthe DVDs related to the VHS to DVD Migration Program and not for anyother discounts offered by Retailer to customer (i.e. merchandise, DVDplayers). Should the Filmmaker elect to audit the results of theRetailer's data dump, the credit will be held until the audit iscomplete. Upon completion of the audit (or within a reasonable timeafter the data dump, if no audit is performed) the credit will accrue tothe Retailer. The Retailer might elect to apply such credit amount tofuture orders of DVD items from the Filmmaker, or the Retailer may electto cash out the credit, in which case a check for the amount of thecredit (or an electronic funds transfer) will be disbursed to theRetailer.

The Customer will tender the discounted amount and thus complete thetransaction as in step 112.

Using the embodying method described herein, the present inventionprovides a cost effective manner of doing such. While a preferredembodiment of the present invention has been described, it should beunderstood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may bemade therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A technology migration system, comprising: acustomer computer comprising an online exchange platform configured toremotely transmit unique data related to on older technology via anetwork to at least one of a retailer and a provider of a newertechnology or intermediary thereof, the older technology and the newertechnology each using a different media type, at least one of which isreadable by the customer computer, the customer computer being locatedat a different geographic location than the retailer and/or provider ofthe newer technology; and a secure authentication system incommunication with the online exchange platform while performing atechnology exchange, the secure authentication system being configuredto remotely authenticate the older technology and complete thetechnology exchange, whereby at the end of the technology exchange, thenewer technology is made available to a customer.
 2. The technologymigration system of claim 1, wherein the newer technology and an oldertechnology each have a portion that is the same, and wherein the portioncomprises copyrighted material.
 3. The technology migration system ofclaim 2, wherein the copyrighted material comprises a movie, the newertechnology and the older technology comprising different storage mediafor the movie.
 4. The technology migration system of claim 3, whereinthe different storage media are different storage formats.
 5. Thetechnology migration system of claim 4, wherein the storage format forthe older technology comprises VHS tape, and the storage format for thenewer technology comprises a DVD.
 6. The technology migration system ofclaim 1, wherein the online exchange platform is further configured topermit the customer to pay a technology migration fee while securelyentering customer information into a dedicated page on the retailer'swebsite, the technology migration fee comprising a reduced cost of thenewer technology.
 7. The technology migration system of claim 6, whereinpayment of the technology migration fee occurs after the customer haspossessed the older technology for a period of time, and wherein paymentof the technology migration fee triggers release of the newer technologyto the customer.
 8. A technology migration system, comprising: acustomer computer having an online exchange platform, the onlineexchange platform configured to access a dedicated webpage of aretailer, the online exchange platform adapted to remotely transmit datarelated to a technology exchange via a network to at least one of theretailer and a provider of the newer technology or intermediary thereof,the older technology and the newer technology each using different mediatype, at least one of which is readable by the customer computer; and asecure authentication system in communication with the online exchangeplatform and the dedicated webpage of the retailer while performing atechnology exchange, the secure authentication system configured toremotely authenticate the older technology, generate a customer a creditto be applied toward or a rebate on the price of the newer technology inconsideration of customer's possession of the older technology andpayment of a technology migration fee from the customer comprising areduced cost of the newer technology, and complete the technologyexchange upon remote authentication of older technology, whereby at theend of the technology exchange, the newer technology is made availableto a customer.
 9. The technology migration system of claim 8, whereinthe customer computer is located at a geographic location different fromthe retailer and/or provider of the newer technology or intermediarythereof.
 10. The technology migration system of claim 9, wherein thenewer technology and the older technology each have a portion that isthe same, wherein the portion comprises copyrighted material.
 11. Thetechnology migration system of claim 10, wherein the copyrightedmaterial comprises a movie, the newer technology and the oldertechnology comprising different storage media for the movie.
 12. Thetechnology migration system of claim 11, wherein the different storagemedia are different storage formats.
 13. The technology migration systemof claim 12, wherein the storage format for the older technologycomprises VHS tape, and the storage format for the newer technologycomprises a DVD.